Harvie: Aviation tax cut fails to take off

... they’ve found a way of getting out of their commitment to an ill thought out, evidence-free policy
Patrick Harvie MSP

The Scottish Government has announced that “is not possible” to introduce its proposed Air Departure Tax in time for the beginning of the next fiscal year, a move welcomed by the Scottish Greens.

In a written answer from the finance secretary, the government reveals that the new form of reduced Air Passenger Duty will not be in place before April 2019 because of a disagreement with the UK government on “the Highlands and Islands exemption issue”.

Patrick Harvie MSP, the Scottish Greens’ finance spokesperson, says the excuse provides a way out for ministers from an “ill thought out, evidence-free policy”.

Mr Harvie, Glasgow’s Green MSP, said:

“The SNP must be counting their lucky stars that they’ve found a way of getting out of their commitment to an ill thought out, evidence-free policy. They know that if they were to carry out their proposal to slash aviation taxes, something which is designed only to keep airline lobbyists happy, they would undermine their own climate change objectives as well as their ability to achieve a positive result of the next budget negotiations.

“Greens will continue to oppose this pointless corporate tax break in principle, and advocate for sustainable transport policies which put people’s regular public transport first, and the interest of airline shareholders at the back of the queue.”

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Green MSP Patrick Harvie is challenging SNP MPs to resist voting with the Tories on Heathrow expansion after Labour declared that its official position is against building a new runway, calling the plan “incompatible” with environmental and climate change obligations.

MPs are expected to vote on the UK Government proposals next Monday and ministers at Holyrood are going along with the Conservatives in the widely debunked claim that “a new third runway is deliverable within its international carbon commitments”.

Scottish ministers have admitted they are relying on, and are content with, the environmental impact assessments carried out by the UK government on building a third runway at Heathrow.

The admission came from Keith Brown at Holyrood today after being questioned by Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Greens’ co-convener. Harvie says it’s strange for the SNP, who regularly claim Westminster is out of touch, to be in complete agreement with the Tories on aviation policy.